PolarForm

PolarForm

PolarForm[ v ] converts a vector to polar form.

Usages

PolarForm[ v ]

PolarForm[ v ] writes the two-dimensional vector v as a polar vector: magnitude and angle. The angle is exact and in radians. v can be a column vector, a vector in basis form or a coordinate. In a script, wrap the command in Simplify.

Example in rendered
A column vector. Simplify[ PolarForm[ CartesianVector[3, 4] ] ] (5,tan−1(43))\left(5, \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{4}{3}\right)\right)
A standard angle. Simplify[ PolarForm[ CartesianVector[1, 1] ] ] (2,14π)\left(\sqrt{2}, \frac{1}{4}\pi\right)
A vector along the vertical axis. Simplify[ PolarForm[ CartesianVector[0, 2] ] ] (2,12π)\left(2, \frac{1}{2}\pi\right)
A vector in basis form. Simplify[ PolarForm[ BaseVector[3, 4] ] ] (5,tan−1(43))\left(5, \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{4}{3}\right)\right)
Options

AnglePrecision

Calculates the angle as a decimal number, rounded to n decimals.

Syntax Example rendered
PolarForm[ v, AnglePrecision=>n ] Simplify[ PolarForm[ CartesianVector[12, 5], AnglePrecision=>2 ] ] (13,0.39)\left(13, 0.39\right)

MagnitudePrecision

Calculates the magnitude as a decimal number, rounded to n decimals. Can be combined with AnglePrecision.

Syntax Example
PolarForm[ v, MagnitudePrecision=>n ] Simplify[ PolarForm[ CartesianVector[11, 5], AnglePrecision=>2, MagnitudePrecision=>2 ] ]
Details
  • Without Simplify, the command is not calculated.
  • Three dimensions: only two-dimensional vectors are supported: PolarForm[ CartesianVector[3, 4, 5] ] is not calculated.
  • A vector that is already in polar form is not changed.

See also: ComponentForm, Magnitude, PolarVector